How Cervical Orthosis Paired with Red Light Therapy May Improve Mood Stability

When people hear the syntagm cervical orthosis, they usually imagine a white collar worn by someone after an unfortunate accident. However, this device has other effective uses. Today, we'll explain how cervical orthosis paired with red light therapy can – among other things – improve mood stability. This combination relies on neck support from the orthosis and the therapeutic benefits of red light to enhance overall well-being. Curious about how it works? Stay tuned for more information!

What Is A Cervical Orthosis?

A cervical orthosis is a medical device designed to stabilize the neck and support the cervical spine. It’s often visualized as a neck collar and commonly used after injuries or surgeries to immobilize the vertebrae. Its main objectives are aiding in the healing process and preventing further damage. Various types of cervical orthoses include halo vests, Philadelphia collars, Minerva collars, Aspen collars, and Miami collars. Each type is tailored to different levels of support and immobilization needs. 

Cervical orthosis helps control neck movements, reduces the load on the spine, and provides immediate support to patients recovering from cervical spine injuries or surgeries. However, beyond its most obvious use, there are several other ways to utilize this device.

How Effective Is A Cervical Orthosis?

They’re very effective and do a great job of keeping the spine stable while aiding recovery. However, it all depends on the cervical orthosis we’re discussing. Take the halo vest, for instance. It provides excellent immobilization. Still, it can cause issues like swallowing difficulties and infections, according to a study published in the Journal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine. On the other hand, options like the Minerva and Aspen collars offer similar support with fewer side effects. That makes them a better choice for many injuries.

Now, let's take a closer look at the other component of the pair: red light therapy.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy uses low-level wavelengths of red light to enhance skin health. It does so by stimulating collagen production, promoting cellular repair processes, and improving blood circulation. It is widely utilized to address various skin concerns such as wrinkles, scars, redness, and acne and shows promise in medical applications as well.

However, scientists have discovered another benefit of red light therapy: it can enhance mood. While red light therapy can’t be an alternative to traditional, proven mental health services, some psychiatrists suggest that red light activates melanopsin, a receptor sensitive to certain colors. This activation boosts serotonin and dopamine (i.e., the happy hormones) levels, leading to improved mood and increased self-esteem. Furthermore, by mimicking natural light and lessening the negative impacts of darkness in living and working situations, red and near-infrared light therapy may be used to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

How Safe Is Red Light Therapy?

While some may have concerns about the therapy's safety, they need not worry. Red light therapy is generally regarded as safe when, of course, used short-term and following proposed guidelines. Unlike UV light, it’s non-toxic and non-invasive. However, improper and unguided use can potentially lead to skin or eye damage, and its long-term safety profile still requires further research.

Cervical Orthosis Paired With Red Light Therapy For Improved Mood Stability

The not-so-obvious combination of cervical orthosis paired with red light therapy presents a compelling synergy for physical support and emotional well-being. This dual modality offers a promising avenue for improving overall mood and quality of life and can be found in products such as MitoCHIRO™ Neck Pillow.

Introducing: MitoCHIRO™ Neck Pillow

Here’s the basic description: the MitoCHIRO™ Neck Pillow blends cervical orthotic blocks with red light therapy to tackle common (physical) issues like neck pain, shoulder tension, and poor posture. Prolonged discomfort in these areas can greatly affect mental health. It can impact mood stability and overall well-being. As one can assume, living with pain isn't exactly a road to mental stability.

Besides being tough to endure, chronic pain can also lead to heightened stress levels, which, together with pain, significantly impacts everyday life and can cause mood disturbances over time. The MitoCHIRO™ aims to reduce these effects: it promotes relaxation and improves mood with its soothing properties. On the other hand, light therapy, particularly in the red and near-infrared spectrum, stimulates cellular repair and boosts circulation. It helps users feel rejuvenated and provides pain relief. 

Other Benefits Of Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy offers many health and beauty benefits. It’s known to stimulate collagen production, which improves skin elasticity and reduces wrinkles. No wonder this makes red light therapy a popular choice for enhancing skin tone and texture, particularly in areas affected by sun damage.

Red light therapy may also help relieve symptoms of conditions like arthritis and tendinopathy by reducing pain and improving joint function. This therapy is also noted for its role in accelerating wound-healing processes. Therefore, you can say that it’s pretty beneficial for athletes and individuals recovering from various injuries.

Lastly, it can aid hair growth for individuals with androgenic alopecia (or male pattern baldness). It may even reduce acne lesions and scars. While more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms and benefits, red light therapy continues to gain recognition for its diverse applications in (skin) health and (overall) wellness.

Conclusion

Many people can benefit from cervical orthosis paired with red light therapy for improved mood stability and well-being in general. This innovative combination targets physical discomfort and aims to enhance emotional resilience through relaxation and pain relief. This method highlights the potential for integrated therapies to improve quality of life by utilizing the therapeutic effects of red light to support overall health.

References: 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22114-red-light-therapy

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4790142

https://time.com/shopping/article/what-does-red-light-therapy-do/